What Can We Do Summary

In history, there have been many social changes that have occurred like the industrial revolution, the abolition of slavery and the Civil Right Movement. The less powerful not having enough voices to overcome the obstacles being erected by the powerful and many more examples. These voices play a major role when it comes to making big political and social changes. In “Return to Hayneville,” Gregory Orr recounts his experience and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He argues that vocal campaigns and movements in public discourse and deep connections within people, help bring about change in today’s society. Whereas, In Vivian Yee, Alan Blinder and Jonah Engel Bromwich, “Parkland Students Start a Social Movement” they bring

Jeannette always admired her parents despite the way that they chose to live. Even though both parents were both intelligently capable, they chose to live homeless. They both chose their own welfare over their children. With parents like hers, Jeannette took what good she could from her

The ability to flourish becomes difficult, when others’ opinions are focused on rather than one’s own importance. In “Shooting an Elephant” the narrator goes against his own morals and beliefs, to simply be accepted by a group. In his heart, he knows it is wrong to shoot an innocent elephant, yet his desperation to feel included causes him to plummet under pressure. The narrator could have easily avoided shooting the elephant, but something about the need to fit in caused him to go against himself. He was no longer doing what was right for him, rather what others wanted him to do. The loss of individualism causes one to not only go against one’s own morals and belief, it eventually leads and escalates to broader situations. A person becomes sidetracked from accomplishing and achieving personal goals when trying to be included. The narrator faces a similar position as he begins to spend a majority of his time pondering and wondering why he is hated and shunned. There was an inability to focus on anything else because all that focus was on to one specific thought. The constant focus on trying to be accepted, causes one to lose sight of what is really important. Society overpowers individuals, no matter how hard one tries, one will always lose to a majority. Rather than dedicate and waste precious time

B. R. Ambedkar once stated, “What are we having this liberty for? We are having this liberty in order to reform our social system, which is full of inequality, discrimination and other things, which conflict with our fundamental rights.” This powerful quotes illustrates how society has belittle the people with a low status and has not given a chance for those who have not proven themselves. It demonstrates that the world needs to understand that all people should be treated equally no matter what race, ethnic, or social status they inherit. Throughout the texts, “The Stolen Party” by Liliana Heker and “Borders” by Denice Frohman, both authors develop their text surrounding the topic of inequality by discussing how social class affects the main

Have you ever wondered how some people enact change? Mother Jones protested for child labor laws. Melba integrated a white high school in order to get rid of racism. Nelson Mandela joined South Africa’s congress to help racism. They all persevered to enact change, but they took different approaches for their problems.

This analysis have shown me how important is to be faithful to your own principles, even when the world takes you to unknown. The knowledge of the society in which each one has to life is what shows that opposed positions that seem irreconcilable are part of a whole and as Collin’s suggests, each individual has to decide what is right or what is wrong in the society and then take a position and try to change what is wrong. (Hentrhone,

In her speech “Political Activism and Protest from the 1960s through the Age of Obama,” Angela Davis argues that Black history involves a constant struggle for freedom. This struggle is meant to expand the liberties of not only Black people, but of all marginalized people, and it has occurred throughout history in all parts of the world. As a result, Davis asserts that Black history and activism are universally relatable. She continues to discuss activism in her speech, at one point declaring, “we have to learn how to imagine the future in terms that are not restricted to our own lifetimes” (Davis 117). Her declaration means that social change does not come about if people passively accept the world’s current state. Instead, social change occurs when people “imagine the future” (117) that they wish to live in and work at shaping all aspects of society so that it will progress towards the future they envisioned.

In both “ Harrison Bergeron” and “Freedom on the Menu The Greensboro Sit-ins,” Weatherford shows us how standing up for the things you believe in can impact change. After studying both stories, readers might conclude that ultimately it is up to you, you could either try and push for a change and nothing happens or there is a change but if you do nothing then there is no change. Though we all feel passionate about matters of injustice, we don’t have to stand there and take their injustice we have to stand up for yourself and stand up for what

A society that prevents individuality means that there is no victory. Equality was once muted by following the rules of society, but now he has discovered who he is. He understands his self worth and that he can put himself before others. Equality has come such a long way in his personal development that he now identifies himself differently. After discovering the word “I” he proclaims, “I’m not a bandage for their wounds. I am not a sacrifice on

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,” (Desmond Tutu). There have been countless instances of people rebelling for change for the perceived greater good. Injustices such as the merciless monarchy, abuse of the government, segregation, or discrimination, strike a movement and longing for change. In most cases, change -or at least a compromise- is met and betters history.

The discriminatory society will be altered once the perspectives of the oppressed people discover that they can make a significant difference once they have resolved all their inner conflicts and quarrels with the people on the same team. The author exposes these dreadful experiences through disputes within oneself and interpersonal which heavily influences the thought process of the people being oppressed by an unfair, unjust society.

In our Society, we deal with many form of oppression in our daily lives. Unfortunately, different groups of people are more oppressed than others. Oppression is the unjust treatment of a group of people. I believe, our government is a major culprit as they are responsible for oppressing most of society. This involves many groups, such as single mothers, the working class, African Americans, gays and lesbians. In my paper, my personal views will be addressed incorporating ideas from several readings pertaining to different forms of oppression. A summarization of each article will be provided as well.

“The more you pay attention to privilege and oppression, the more you’ll see opportunities to do something about them. You don’t have to mount an expedition to

The following paper summarizes three philosophical approaches towards social change. Addams’ philosophy of implementing an active democratic process in her work at Hull House is explored. Her research involved combining natural observation and structural analysis to gain a better understanding of diverse populations, oppression, and social issues. Richmond’s philosophy on the importance of determining social diagnosis through systematic research is examined. Her research involved addressing all social systems that affect life problems and behaviors along with emphasizing the role of family as the driving force for creating and maintaining change. Wells-Barnett’s philosophy of empowering African Americans through investigation and reporting on various acts of discrimination and inequality are explored. She believed that by educating the public and bringing awareness to acts of oppression, it would initiate a social

What really counts according to Johnson’s insights is that just because we do not see it does not mean we should not do something about it. If one person changes themselves about privileged and racism then you could help changed the world later on. Someone will not be able to change the world in one day or even in a lifetime but over several lifetimes we can make a difference. Sometimes people have to go out of the norm and do something that they feel is right to make a difference. What people do and do not do, we can be opened